Harper Auto Wash

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

HARPER AUTO WASH

BarberMcMurry Architects

ARCHITECTS
BarberMcMurry architects

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Chuck Griffin, Chad Boetger, A.J. Heidel, Julie Dalby, NCIDQ, IIDA

MANUFACTURERS
Pac-Clad, YKK AP

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Bennett & Pless

CIVIL ENGINEERING
Will Robinson & Associates

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Vreeland Engeineers

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Engineering Services Group

LANDSCAPE
The Penland Studio

PHOTOGRAPHS
Denise Retallack

AREA
7830 ft²

YEAR
2022  

LOCATION
Alcoa, United States

CATEGORY
Public Architecture

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

Text description provided by architect.

The design of the new Harper Auto Wash prototype delivers a luxury customer experience without a luxury construction budget.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

Positioned along a heavily traveled vehicular corridor, the project site is surrounded by industrial & automotive uses which inspires the exterior design strategy.

Constrained within a compact footprint, the efficient building structure leverages common industrial materials composed & detailed to create a clean, modern architectural solution.

Corrugated metal siding features a randomized profile & color pattern which floats above a base of exposed concrete block and storefront.

Within the metal siding, a pattern of white and gray color striation is deployed to invoke a feeling of movement across the building elevation.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

The CMU, which defines the building’s base, responds to the material demands dictated by the wash environments – while also providing a contrast to the lighter corrugated metal panels and storefront systems.

The building itself is positioned and designed to act as its own “billboard” to attract new & existing customers.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

The floor plan is conceived as an incredibly efficient & simple rectangle with the Wash and Finishing Bays positioned along the lengths of the building.

The Coffee Shop and Customer Lounge are centrally located between the Wash and Finishing Bays and are bracketed with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows to capture shared daylight & provide unobstructed views of the adjacent wash areas.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

Within the customer zones, staggered acoustic baffles and linear lighting elements reinforce the feeling of movement, drawing inspiration from the “light streak” effect created by the motion of cars captured in photography.

Wood slats are incorporated into the interior architecture to draw attention to the Coffee Shop bar, as well as to provide a warm, biophilic element for the Customer Lounge.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack

Designed with restraint, Harper Auto Wash respects the beauty inherent in simple materials, embraces opportunities for daylight & views, and architecturally elevates the typical “car-wash” program.

Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack
Harper Auto Wash
© Denise Retallack


Harper Auto Wash
Diagram


Harper Auto Wash
Elevations
Harper Auto Wash
Floor Plan